Top to Toe: Fashion for Kids
4 October 2008 - 19 April 2009
Party Frills 1947 (click image for larger version)
FREE, Upper Galleries
Drawn from the Museum's outstanding collection, Top to Toe uncovers the fascinating world of children's clothing from 250 years ago to the present day.
Developments in the 'form and function' of children's clothes are explored using a number of themes - Milestones, Changing Fashions, Fashion Drivers and Practical Fashion. The exhibition features over 100 items, including a 19th century Burnous cloak, a 1920s Christening bonnet and the iconic 1970s parka.
Supported by The Mercers' Company
Top to Toe: Introduction
Changing attitudes towards childhood have informed how we have treated and subsequently dressed children throughout history...
Top to Toe: Milestones
Milestones can demonstrate the development of children through physical size and age. In the mid 19th century a girl’s age could almost be attributed to the length of her skirt, short for younger girls and full adult length for those older...
Top to Toe: Changing Fashions
There are certain shapes and silhouettes of garments that are often associated with distinct periods in the history of dress...
Top to Toe: Fashion Drivers
Wearing the right clothes has always been important for children to denote status and class, to make a statement as an individual or to assimilate them with a peer group or subculture...
Top to Toe: Practical Fashion
The practical properties of fabrics, layers of clothing and fastenings are important when looking at garments for daily wear now and in the past...
What I Wore
What were you wearing when you were a kid? Upload your own loved and loathed kid's fashion snapshots right here (and have a chuckle at everyone else's of course)...
Top to Toe Online Shop
A Funky Chicken hat, 'Gentleman' pyjamas and adorable Mary Jane wellingtons - see what's available at the Top to Toe Online shop...
